Original Broadside By Master Engraver Hogenberg Circa 1580s
ORIGINAL c.1580–1600 FRANZ HOGENBERG ENGRAVING – RENAISSANCE SIEGE MACHINES & MILITARY ENGINEERING – RARE
Original 16th-century copperplate engraving attributed to the workshop of Franz Hogenberg (1535–1590), one of the most important engravers and publishers of the Renaissance.
Complete ORIGINAL blank backed broadside engraving (15" x 11") by German master engraver, Franz Hogenberg. This broadside represents the earliest precursor to the illustrated newspaper and is in fact one of the earliest news forms in existence. The firm of Hogenberg (first Franz and then later his sons) produced engravings of news events for a largely illiterate population from 1560 - 1625. These engravings were produced shortly after an historic event occurred and were primarily of events that were of interest to the European populations.
Some of the areas covered by Hogenberg’s illustrated broadsides include the French Civil Wars of Religion, the Spanish Wars in the Low Countries, sieges and battles, deaths and assassinations of European Kings, portraits and maps of Europe, and more! These engravings represent one of the earliest illustrated forms of news that was widely disseminated. The format is a large engraving that also contains, at the bottom, a descriptive text in German (and sometimes French as well). They are "Views as News" and represent the earliest form of pictorial journalism—the precursor of the illustrated newspaper.
This remarkable print depicts a series of sophisticated military engineering devices used in siege warfare, including:
Ponte di Targone (mobile assault bridge)
Floating assault and artillery platforms
Gabion defenses
Fascine constructions
Portable protective screens
Specialized siege equipment used against fortified cities
The engraving contains Italian labels identifying the various machines while explanatory text appears below in Latin and German. These images were among the earliest forms of illustrated military journalism and technical illustration distributed throughout Europe.
Unlike many Hogenberg engravings depicting battles or political events, this example focuses on the engineering technology that made Renaissance siege warfare possible, making it particularly desirable to collectors of military history and early science.
Details
Original copperplate engraving
Franz Hogenberg attribution
Circa 1580–1600
Plate number 336
Approx. 15" x 11"
Italian, Latin, and German text
Blank-backed
Strong, dark impression
Condition
Very good antique condition.
Expected age wear including:
Minor marginal losses at lower edge
Light toning
Minor handling wear
The engraved image remains exceptionally sharp and highly displayable.
Historical Importance
Franz Hogenberg's engravings are recognized as some of the earliest widely distributed illustrated records of contemporary events and technology. This print provides a fascinating visual record of Renaissance military engineering during the age of European religious wars, sieges, and fortress warfare.
An exceptional museum-quality engraving for collectors of:
Franz Hogenberg
Renaissance prints
Military history
Siege warfare
Engineering history
Early scientific illustration
Rare original 16th-century Hogenberg engraving depicting Renaissance military technology and siege machinery.
ORIGINAL c.1580–1600 FRANZ HOGENBERG ENGRAVING – RENAISSANCE SIEGE MACHINES & MILITARY ENGINEERING – RARE
Original 16th-century copperplate engraving attributed to the workshop of Franz Hogenberg (1535–1590), one of the most important engravers and publishers of the Renaissance.
Complete ORIGINAL blank backed broadside engraving (15" x 11") by German master engraver, Franz Hogenberg. This broadside represents the earliest precursor to the illustrated newspaper and is in fact one of the earliest news forms in existence. The firm of Hogenberg (first Franz and then later his sons) produced engravings of news events for a largely illiterate population from 1560 - 1625. These engravings were produced shortly after an historic event occurred and were primarily of events that were of interest to the European populations.
Some of the areas covered by Hogenberg’s illustrated broadsides include the French Civil Wars of Religion, the Spanish Wars in the Low Countries, sieges and battles, deaths and assassinations of European Kings, portraits and maps of Europe, and more! These engravings represent one of the earliest illustrated forms of news that was widely disseminated. The format is a large engraving that also contains, at the bottom, a descriptive text in German (and sometimes French as well). They are "Views as News" and represent the earliest form of pictorial journalism—the precursor of the illustrated newspaper.
This remarkable print depicts a series of sophisticated military engineering devices used in siege warfare, including:
Ponte di Targone (mobile assault bridge)
Floating assault and artillery platforms
Gabion defenses
Fascine constructions
Portable protective screens
Specialized siege equipment used against fortified cities
The engraving contains Italian labels identifying the various machines while explanatory text appears below in Latin and German. These images were among the earliest forms of illustrated military journalism and technical illustration distributed throughout Europe.
Unlike many Hogenberg engravings depicting battles or political events, this example focuses on the engineering technology that made Renaissance siege warfare possible, making it particularly desirable to collectors of military history and early science.
Details
Original copperplate engraving
Franz Hogenberg attribution
Circa 1580–1600
Plate number 336
Approx. 15" x 11"
Italian, Latin, and German text
Blank-backed
Strong, dark impression
Condition
Very good antique condition.
Expected age wear including:
Minor marginal losses at lower edge
Light toning
Minor handling wear
The engraved image remains exceptionally sharp and highly displayable.
Historical Importance
Franz Hogenberg's engravings are recognized as some of the earliest widely distributed illustrated records of contemporary events and technology. This print provides a fascinating visual record of Renaissance military engineering during the age of European religious wars, sieges, and fortress warfare.
An exceptional museum-quality engraving for collectors of:
Franz Hogenberg
Renaissance prints
Military history
Siege warfare
Engineering history
Early scientific illustration
Rare original 16th-century Hogenberg engraving depicting Renaissance military technology and siege machinery.